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[TT seeker]

I'm in the social sciences, ABD, and have been invited to a campus interview at an RI for a TT position. My question is simple, as I prepare for this two-day event, what am I forgetting? I have this list. Remember the umbrella... extra socks... practice the job talk (a lot)... read up on current faculty... bring breath mints... lint brush... etc. Please, any advice to complete the list would be helpful as I'm nervous enough already and would like to feel at least a little prepared. I've searched the list but not come up with any previous posts with suggestions as such; so if anyone has anecdotes, suggestions and the all important do's and dont's, I'd be appreciative.

[Overprepared]

I made a horrible mistake in an interview because I hadn't looked at the intro textbooks being used by the department.  I should have just called the campus bookstore or the department secretary and asked.  As it was, the Chair asked me what I thought of the series they used and I botched it.  It was painful.
 
Also, this may sound silly, but I recommend: a bottle of water, a granola bar, and dental floss.  This is just in case you don't get fed for a long while and don't want everyone to hear your stomach rumbling during the next meeting.  The floss, of course, is so no one notices granola in your teeth.

In regard to your job talk: make sure you check out the faculty of other departments who might attend.  You could even ask who else is likely to be there.  And you might consider bringing any particularly nice example of a classroom activity or some student work that you can whip out if someone asks you about your teaching.

[melba]

-Extra shoes (especially if you are packing dress shoes that you are not used to walking around in a lot. Even with familiar shoes, having a change helps if there's a lot of campus walking).

-Back-ups for any of your presentation materials. If you're doing a PowerPoint (or other electronic presentation) carry a copy on a CD, a floppy and a jump drive/memory stick. AND email it to yourself and/or post it on your website.

-Snacks, juice, & bottled water (you might have a stretch between meals, or find the meals less than satisfying). I also like to bring my own breakfast because it saves time in the morning; I am NOT a morning person.

-Contact information & calling card (who to call if you are stuck/delayed at some point in your travel plans)

-Swimming suit--just in case your hotel has pool/sauna to relax

-Aspirin or other OTC pain relief; other medications, lotions, etc. for all your potential complaints (bring everything, but in small quantity).

-Deodorant/antiperspirant (and other toiletries) should be unscented. Leave any perfume/cologne at home. Smelling fancy won't get you the job, but can really annoy someone who has allergies.

-Something fun to read. (Do not bother to bring work or papers to grade).

[Claudia]

Email your job talk to yourself. That way, if all fails, you can still access and print / present it if your luggage doesn't arrive or you leave it at the hotel.

Good luck!!!

[history grrrl]

* Advance arrangements for any technology you'll need in the job talk.

* (If you're female) An extra pair of nylons, because the first one will always have a run.

* An extra change of clothes for dinner, if you have time to relax and change at the hotel beforehand.

* Gym clothes in case there's a fitness room at the hotel (I never had time for this, though).

* Enough cash to cover things like taxis if necessary. (I had an $80+ cab ride from airport to hotel for an interview last year; thank goodness I had just enough cash to cover it.)

* List of questions you genuinely want to ask, with space to write the answers (I used a little notebook for this, which no one seemed to mind).

* List of courses you'd like to teach, with some ideas about how.

The other suggestions are great. Good luck!

[%sig%]

[anon]

to the above (which is very good information) --

-- sample syllabi of courses you have taught/want to teach

-- extra copies of your CV (invariably, someone will not have their copy; esp. if you meet with grad students, they are likely to not get much material).

--a bottle or two of Ensure (or other protein shake in a bottle -- always good if you don't like the granola/powerbar thing).

--and ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS carry your interview attire on the plane (all luggage, really, if possible -- you are only traveling for 3 days max), and have a backup with you if possible in case someone spills a glass of red wine on your extra white dress shirt the night before the interview.

[Sofia]

I second the advice on medication.  Especially if you get sinus or migraine headaches...

[chronically visiting]

Sofia wrote:

> I second the advice on medication.  Especially if you get sinus
> or migraine headaches...

YES! and keep it in your briefcase, not your suitcase.

[asst_prof]

Take some sort of OTC acid reducer (e.g., Zantac).  A lot of candidates experience so much anxiety during on-campus interviews that their stomachs stay upset.  Not only does a sour stomach make you feel bad, it also affects your ability to perform well (since it's hard to be on top of your game if you're sick to your stomach).  At the same time, you'll be treated to some meals, and by taking an acid reducer, you'll actually be able to enjoy the meals, and you'll be better company and make a better impression.  When I was going through interviews, I used to take the maximum strength Zantac before meals and before my job talks.  It really helped.  I'm not a medical doctor, but I've found that this strategy helped me personally.

[alternative]

The above suggestions are good.
You might also make sure your interview clothes are in decent layers, so that if you get stuck in an over- or under-heated space you can be reasonably comfortable.
I'd also bring bandaids (bleeding is a real problem--and sometimes hangnails and papercuts just happen at interviews), ibuprofen, uncaffeinated tea bags (for evening calm) and chocolate-covered coffee beans (for quick afternoon jolts).
Don't forget your approved id, even if you won't be driving. It's no longer possible even to take a train without a photo id.
Don't forget to turn off your cell phone when in interviews.

[%sig%]

[Beyond Hope]

Don't check your luggage, just bring a duffle. It's an overnight deal or two nights at the most. Travel wearing a comfortable skirt if you are female or pants that go with dress shoes if you are male. You want to look presentable at all times and with a skirt, even a comfortable one you move differently. If you are female, bring extra pairs of  pantyhose. They get runs.

I recommend coke syrup if your stomach is bothering you. Also I like combos and apples for snacks, but they are mainly for the airport. Most  interviews tend to stuff me with food.

[Beyond Hope]

One more thing that I find REALLY HELPS (helps me stay sane. I am batting zero this time around with interviews) is to run your motel location through Mapquest and find out where the restaurants are. If you arrive the night before, you get a choice. I'm a big fan of Subway and walked two miles each way the night before one interview (I'm not a big fan of gyms so it all evens out.) to have my favorite sub, chips, and sad to say root beer instead of Dr. Pepper. The interview where I wen to the Subway the night before is still an unknown by the way.

[BaumWelch]

Prepare for the Collegiality Questions:

My presentation went off well but I was nearly flumoxed by
1) "So you follow Football DiminutiveOfMyName?"  
2) "So what are your Hobbies Dr. MangledMispronounciation?"  
3) "So what do you think of  the DeepFryEverything Region?"

Bad Answers:
1) I haven't followed football since I was like 9 and only my grandmother calls me "Diminutive".
2) Uh, I have no time for hobbies.  I work like 60 hours a week, I often sleep at my desk and keep a change of clothes in my office, don't you?
3) If the job market wasn't so tight I wouldn't even have applied here.  Now that I'm here it seems OK except for the food.  Gahd, can't anyone around here prepare fish without a 1/4 inch of greasy breadcrumbs?

Good Answers:
1) So how 'bout them "Fierce Sounding Animals"?
2) Oh I just love .
3) Mmmm that's some good eats!


BaumWelch

[angst]

I've just finished an interview and am getting ready to go home to the US tomorrow (I'm in Canada so no thanksgiving here):

Take
bottled water
sensible shoes --- not high heels! (they had me walking all over campus)\
alarm clock. I couldn't figure out the hotel clock, and was paranoid about the front desk losing my wakeup call. A Palm pilot can also stand in as an alarm

don't worry too much though, there is so much  that is not in your control... and even if you turned up looking terrible, you are more judged by what you say than how you look (something women tend to worry more about looking the part, I think).

[Did it last year]

All of the above are good; definitely bring portable food, preferably something you can throw in your laptop case for middle-of-the-day sugar crash. Water is usually available from drinking fountians, and they will always make time to let you go to the bathroom- good not only for the usual, but for two minutes of deep breathing and regrouping.  Chap stick and breath mints; nail clippers can go in your carryon and can be used for cutting not only nails but threads, tags, etc. A glass of wine or beer from the hotel bar (don't put it on the room) before bed can be very relaxing; otherwise bring some herbal tea bags or whatever else lets you wind down enough to sleep; I think I slept an average of 2-3 hours a night my first few interviews.  Then I started bringing my own pillow.

Good luck!